PVLF 2025

Nigerian International Book Fair 2023 Relocates to Mainland & Announces Focus on Higher Education and International Participation

Announced by Michael Oluwatuyi, Chairman of the NBFT, the NIBF 2023 will organize at Mainland rather than Island
on May 10, 2023

The biennial Nigerian International Book Fair (NIBF) will take place on Mainland this year instead than Island, as previously declared by Michael Oluwatuyi, Chairman of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT). It was scheduled to take place from May 10 to 13.

The four-day program's topic is "The Role of a Functional National Book Policy in the African Book Ecosystem," and it will include conferences, book sales and exhibitions, school and kid contests, and book sales.

At a news conference, Oluwatuyi informed the media that the book expo would not be hosted on Island like the last one.

The NBFT is an organization that listens to and takes into consideration the thoughts and recommendations of individuals who engage in its activities, he claimed. When the book fair was relocated to Lagos Island, many expressed their displeasure about the exorbitant participation costs.

"A request was made to extend the book fair's duration from three to at least four days. We relocated the location of the book fair back to the Lagos Mainland for these and other reasons.

He further mentioned that the 22nd NIBF's international conference and opening ceremony, which would include prominent dignitaries from the education sector, will begin on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Yard 158 Event Arena, across from The Citadel, Plot 34, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Professor Ismail Junaidu, the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, and Professor Olasupo Jegede, a former dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Lagos, are among the dignitaries anticipated to attend the opening ceremony.

Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), is another participant at the conference. Mallam Adamu Adamu, the honorary minister of education, was the conference's special guest of honor.

Other notables who are anticipated to attend the conference include Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the Honourable Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian/CEO of the National Library of Nigeria, and Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, who will serve as the conference's Chief Host.

Speaking further about this year's events, he said that the organization had planned to address important issues impacting Nigeria's higher institutions during the Higher Education Summit, which will include prominent industry players as panelists.

The Nigerian Book Fair Trust's newest offering is the Tertiary Education Summit. We are all aware of the damaging effects that the ongoing workplace conflict between the government and the faculty at tertiary institutions is having on Nigerian students today and in the future. The Tertiary Education Summit was added to the schedule of events for the yearly Nigeria International Book Fair in order to address this ongoing issue as well as other difficulties with tertiary education in Nigeria.

"Experts from all levels of higher education in Nigeria have been asked to participate in the Summit's discussion of the issue for this year. Fresh Ideas for Restructuring Nigeria's Tertiary Education Complex is the Summit's theme, he said.

More international organizations will participate in this year's Book Fair, according to Oluwatuyi, who said, "We have exhibitors from Canada, India, and the United Arab Emirates. The United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana, and other African nations are also anticipated to send business travelers, the official added.

We are not going to have the bouncing castle again because we have decided that this is a book fair let's stick to the books. It is not time for them to come and play, said Mrs. Yomi Ogunlari, Pioneer Chairman NBFT, who also spoke at the briefing. This year's book fair will have a more educational focus and also all-inclusive expositions for all participants. We have made an effort to consider every stratum, "she stated.